Illinois at Tennessee odds, picks and predictions
The Illinois Fighting Illini (7-1) visit the Tennessee Volunteers (5-3) on Saturday. Tip from Thompson-Boling Arena is scheduled for noon ET (CBS). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Illinois vs. Tennessee odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
Illinois is on a 5-game winning streak after a 98-89 victory against Florida Atlantic on Tuesday to cover as a 2.5-point underdog. F Marcus Domask and G Terrence Shannon Jr. each had a career-high — and game-high — 33 points while combining for 25 of 35 from the field. Only 1 other Illinois player scored in double-figures while 8 total players scored at least a bucket. Illinois shot 63.2% from the field in the victory.
Tennessee snapped a 3-game losing streak with an 87-66 win over George Mason on Tuesday to cover as a 15.5-point home favorite. F Jonas Aidoo scored a game-high 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting and tacked on 8 rebounds. G Josiah-Jordan James added 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. Tennessee shot 49.2% from the field in the win.
Tennessee is No. 13 and Illinois is No. 18 in the Paste BN Sports Coaches Poll.
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Illinois at Tennessee odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:43 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Illinois +240 (bet $100 to win $240) | Tennessee -300 (bet $300 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Illinois +6.5 (-110) | Tennessee -6.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 145.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Illinois at Tennessee picks and predictions
Prediction
Tennessee 80, Illinois 70
Moneyline
PASS.
While Tennessee (-300) has 3 losses, it is undefeated at home with a 3-0 record and is the rightful favorite in this matchup. There is no profit to be made betting on the Volunteers to win, rather the odds are better on them to cover the spread.
Against the spread
LEAN TENNESSEE -6.5 (-110).
Illinois found success against Florida Atlantic due to its overwhelming size compared to the Owls as well as an impeccable shooting performance of over 60%. Tennessee has played against Kansas and Purdue — who were ranked No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, at the time of the games — and while it lost both matchups, its skills were sharpened. Expect Tennesse to limit the abilities of the Illinois bigs and get a dominant home victory.
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Over/Under
BET OVER 145.5 (-110).
Tennesse has hit the Over in 3 of its last 4 games while scoring at least 87 points in its last 2. Illinois has hit the Over in 3 of its last 5 games while scoring at least 76 points and as many as 98 in that span. While neither team should be expected to score in the high 80s or above, expect a strong offensive showing on Saturday afternoon. Both teams have demonstrated their abilities to score at high rates and increase the pace of the game.
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